Debt forgiveness payment plans
Large utilities, such as Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Liberty, and Cape Light Compact have debt forgiveness plans available for income-eligible residents who have a past due balance of at least $300 with payment more than 60 days past due. When you enroll in a debt forgiveness program, a monthly payment plan is created based on the average amount of your regular monthly bill. Enrolling in a debt forgiveness plan and making on-time payments also prevents your gas or electricity from being shut off.
After paying the monthly payment consistently for a period of time (defined by the utility’s Debt Forgiveness plan), a portion of your total balance at the time of enrollment will be eliminated, or “forgiven.”
Contact your Utility company to enroll in debt forgiveness by visiting their website or calling the number on your bill:
- Eversource: 866-861-6225
- National Grid: 1-866-580-7617
- Unitil: 1-888-301-7700
- Liberty: 1-800-544-4944
- Cape Light Compact: 1-800-797-6699
Budget billing
Anyone is eligible for budget billing, also known as a budget plan or payment plan, regardless of income. These plans take the amount you usually pay on your electricity or gas bill in a year and break that amount into twelve balanced monthly payments to help offset the traditionally high winter heating and summer air conditioning peak bills.
Applications for budget utility billing can be found on your utility’s website, or you can call them directly:
- Eversource: 866-861-6225
- National Grid: 1-800-443-1837
- Unitil: 1-888-301-7700
- Liberty: 1-800-544-4944
- Cape Light Compact: 1-800-797-6699
- Municipal Light Plants
